1. Training Aqua Leaders in Western & Far West NSW Clinton Gibbs Health Promotion Officer Western NSW LHD

2. What is Aqua Fitness? Popular way to keep fit Improves strength & flexibility Increases energy levels Beneficial to people with arthritis, back pain, balance and joint problems Don’t need to be able to swim Easy to learn and fun

4. Why Aqua for Western & Far West Communities ? Aqua groups requested by a group of Aboriginal Ladies Poor exercise opportunities in many communities Most have a pool Suitable for all fitness levels Affordable Can be done with no equipment

5. Broken Hill Wentworth Lightning Ridge Coonabarabran Dubbo Cowra

6. Non-Aboriginal population: 264,490 Aboriginal population: 27,829 Source: ABS population estimates (SAPHaRI). Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence, NSW Ministry of Health.

8. How it Has Happened Training manual was developed Aqua instructor contracted to train leaders in 2009 Manual further developed 62 people attended 37 came to a 1 day refresher training in 2010 34 Aqua groups in Summer 2009/2010

10. The Training HP advertise 2 day training courses Participants must be a LHD volunteer or Staff Broken down into practical & theory sessions Practical assessment & written quiz to be completed Participants are required to lead a free class within the next 12 months CPD and CEC points can be claimed Session on Western NSW PA guidelines included

11. What Participants Learn Principles and Foundations of Aqua fitness Properties of water Aqua fitness program design and workout structure Teaching and cueing techniques Safety considerations Leaders roles and responsibilities Class formation and selection of specific exercises Program modifications for special conditions Equipment and music

13. What Happens After the Training? Leaders become part of the Western NSW LHD Physical Activity network PA network meetings held regularly Equipment supplied Follow ups and group visits Grant information Linked with Local Health District sites Other training & program information is shared Participants are invited to attend a refresher 12 months later

16. Recording Group Statistics The size & type of groups vary in many ways Health service staff enter stats in local systems Volunteers send stats to us and/or keep them for their records We are looking at ways we can access stats from systems used Sites do their own evaluation of their groups

17. Example of an Aqua Group Taken from a 2011 group with 4 leaders Participants also reported an increase in muscle tone, weight loss, improved mental health & an increase in social interaction

19. So What? 19 courses & 14 refresher days have been held 165 people trained & 96 people attended refreshers 90% of refresher attendees had led a group Free groups offered to 23 communities Additional resources & information added to package Increased awareness of other health programs Increase in PA opportunities in many communities including Aboriginal ones